Author: KESQ

Timothy Foster

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) — As the government shutdown stretches on, food insecurity is rising across the Coachella Valley, and local organizations are stepping up to help.

Over the weekend, the first-ever Scoop Palm Springs Ice Cream Festival brought hundreds of people downtown for a day of sweets, music, and community. Behind the celebration, the event aimed to raise money for the LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert’s food bank.

The Center’s food program serves hundreds of residents every week, offering free groceries and fresh produce to low-income individuals and families, including many affected by recent federal aid delays. With government programs like CalFresh and SNAP disrupted by the ongoing shutdown, local demand has increased significantly.

Daniel Szpak, founder of Scoop Palm Springs and chief organizer of the event, explained that food insecurity continues to be a problem in the community, especially with funding cuts, and that all proceeds from ticket sales go directly to the LGBTQ Center’s Community Food Bank. The event provides a fun way for the community to give back and make a real impact.

Center staff noted that they are serving over 500 households every week and adding new families constantly. Events like the festival are essential to keeping the food bank stocked and meeting growing community needs.

The ice cream festival featured local vendors, live entertainment, and family-friendly activities, turning a classic treat into a way to fight hunger and support inclusion. Organizers plan to make it an annual Palm Springs tradition, helping the community come together one scoop at a time.

Residents who want to donate or volunteer with the LGBTQ Community Center’s food bank can visit thecentercv.org

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Shay Lawson

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. (KESQ)  – It’s the last day to celebrate Dia De Los Muertos at Sunnylands Center and Gardens.

It’s all part of a free 5 day celebration of the holiday that the organization holds every year.

Organizers said attendees have an opportunity to honor their dead loved ones at a community alter.

Ofrendas and Nichos are on display from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“This is a really fun event that’s meant to honor and represent family members and loved ones that have passed,” Rhoda Coscetti, community program specialist, said. “We’re really honored to offer this space for 10 local nonprofits.“

Tonight – Sunnylands Center and Gardens will stay open until 9 p.m. for a night time viewing of that local artwork and a screening of Disney’s “Coco,” starting at 6:30 p.m.

Parking and admission is free for all.

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Athena Jreij

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) — The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians hosted the seventh annual Kewet Native American Learning Day and Market at Palm Springs High School.

The free event welcomed hundreds of visitors to celebrate Native American culture through traditional music, dancing, basket weaving, beading and more.

Tribal leaders, city officials, and educators joined together to highlight the rich history of the Cahuilla people and their deep roots in the Coachella Valley.

“It’s one of my most favorite events, where we have almost half a dozen, over half a dozen birds singing groups, singing the songs of our history, singing the songs of our culture,” said Tribal Chairman Reid D. Milanovich.

Milanovich, Palm Springs Mayor Ron Deharte, and PSUSD Superintendent Dr. Marcus Funchess greeted guests, emphasizing the importance of sharing Native American culture and history with the broader community.

Organizers say it’s all about sharing culture, building community, and inspiring the next generation.

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Jesus Reyes

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – College of the Desert will provide free education to every Coachella Valley resident, regardless of age, income, or educational background, COD Superintendent/President Val Martinez Garcia announced.

During the State of the College address Thursday, Martinez Garcia announced a major expansion of the College’s tuition-free program, unveiling a phased roll-out of plEDGE for All to provide free college education to every Coachella Valley resident, regardless of age, income, or educational background.

“This next phase of plEDGE for All removes barriers and opens doors,” said Superintendent/President Martinez Garcia. “Education is a right that belongs to every member of our community. Whether you are beginning college, returning to finish your degree, or building new skills for your career, College of the Desert will support your success through access and opportunity.”

The program is set to launch in Fall 2026.

COD officials said the initiative builds on nearly a decade of impact from the original plEDGE, which has served more than 10,000 local students since 2017.

COD Board of Trustees Chair Dr. Joel L. Kinnamon, who introduced the original plEDGE while serving as College President, reflected on the milestone.

“When we began this program, the goal was to create a pathway to opportunity,” Dr. Kinnamon said. “The award-winning plEDGE program is nationally recognized as a best practice. This expansion continues that vision and aligns with the goal to ensure that every resident of the Coachella Valley can learn, grow, and thrive close to home.”

The expansion is expected to strengthen the region’s workforce pipeline in key industries, including healthcare, sustainability, hospitality, digital media, and advanced technology. It also aligns with the Board of Trustees visions and goals and supports COD’s Vision 2030 goal of increasing access and achievement across all communities

Click here for more on the plEDGE program.

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Kendall Flynn

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Downtown Palm Springs is gearing up for a night of Halloween parties, including in the Arenas District.

The Executive Producer of Halloween Palm Springs, Jeff Hocker, said this is the 10th year events like the Arenas block party have been hosted in the city. Hocker said it is a “labor of love” to make each element of the Halloween weekend unique compared to past years, but the inclusivity of the Arenas block party remains the same.

“It’s not just for the LGBT community. It’s really for everybody to come and enjoy,” Hocker said.

Arenas is hosting the free block party from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. The party includes musical performances, costume contests and more. The theme for the Halloween night party is “Dance Party” with DJ’s set to host the night, including DEV, Meaty Beats by Juan. DJ MODGIRL and DJ Jeffree.

For locals, they said it’s a great night to show case their costumes, dance to the music and come together as a community. Many said the Coachella Valley and Palm Springs feel like a small community, and they want events like this to continue each year.

Stay with News Channel 3 to hear from attendees about the Halloween party.

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Cynthia White

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – A 45-year-old Yucca Valley man is facing charges of vehicle theft, along with multiple firearm-related offenses after an investigation of the theft of a mobile detailing trailer in Rancho Mirage.

Deputies from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office Palm Desert Station received a report on October 17th of the trailer, valued around $12,000, being stolen sometime on the previous day from the 39000 block of Vista del Sol in Rancho Mirage.

Investigators identified a suspect in the theft and say the suspect also allegedly sold the trailer to an unsuspecting buyer.

Investigators served a search warrant at the suspect’s residence in the 7000 block of Murray Lane in Yucca Valley on October 31, where they found an unregistered gun and ammunition. The suspect was arrested and booked on the charges of vehicle theft and firearm-related offenses.

Deputies were able to locate the stolen trailer and return it to the owner. They add that a separate investigation into the fraudulent sale of the trailer is ongoing, and additional charges will be filed at a later time.

The Palm Desert Sheriff’s Station is asking anyone with information related to this ongoing case to contact Deputy Marco Castaneda at (760) 836-1600.

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Jesus Reyes

COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) – A local soccer team has its sights set on Spain.

“Natives FA”  is a team made up of high school seniors who live in different parts of the Coachella Valley.

The teams have been invited to play in a tournament in Madrid, Spain, called the Met Cup next summer.

The team has set up a GoFundMe me, hoping to raise the funds for this trip of a lifetime.

“We have players from all of the Coachella Valley, from Coachella to Palm Springs. We are looking to make this dream come true for the boys,” said coach Alexis Gutierrez.

The team is hoping to raise $60,000.

The tournament is set for June 15 through June 25.

Click here if you would like to help

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Peter Daut

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ) – The Living Healthy Expo is the premier health and wellness resource in the valley, uniting business and community partners to educate and serve the public.

This free event is taking place on Saturday, November 1st, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Cathedral City Community Amphitheater located at 68526 Avenida Lalo Guerrero.

The Expo is through a partnership with News Channel 3 and Desert Oasis Healthcare, and will feature a variety of wellness activities, interactive experiences, and entertainment. There will also be complimentary health screenings, vaccinations, and demonstrations.

Desert Oasis Healthcare Director of Marketing Rob Banchich says, “I think it’s a great opportunity for a lot of the medical groups within the Coachella Valley to get together and show solidarity and just let the community know we’re there to support them.”

News Channel 3’s Peter Daut spoke with Banchich on Friday to get more on the event.

For more information, visit kesq.com/living-healthy-expo/ or mydohc.com/about/living-healthy-expo-2025/.

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Jesus Reyes

COACHELLA VALLEY (CNS) – SafeHouse of the Desert, in partnership with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, will host its annual “Stuff the Bus” donation drive tomorrow at several locations across the Coachella Valley to benefit local youth in need.

Donations will be accepted from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. outside the following stores:   — 83053 Avenue 48, Coachella (Walmart);   — 79295 Highway 111, La Quinta (Walmart);   — 78953 Highway 111, La Quinta (Target) 

Donations may include household items such as twin-size bedding, towels, paper goods, soap, foil, kitchen supplies and cleaning products such as trash bags, disinfecting wipes, laundry detergent, mops and dish soap. Personal items such as sweatpants, socks, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant and lip balm are also accepted, along with nonperishable food, bottled water, juice and grocery store gift cards. 

SafeHouse of the Desert provides emergency shelter, intervention and outreach services for runaway, homeless and at-risk youth ages 11 to 24, officials said.

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